The only thing blooming in Gabby’s life these days were the flowers in the shop. And maybe, a friendship with Doug Monroe. It had been a long time—if ever—since she’d had such a steady male companion before, and for once, it was nice not to expect more to come from it, but rather to just enjoy his company, because that’s what she was doing, she realized with a start. She actually enjoyed spending time with him.
“On one condition,” Gabby said before she had a chance to consider the ramifications of her words. “You be my plus one to Candy’s wedding the following Saturday.”
“A family wedding?” He looked at her with such suspicion that Gabby pinched her lips, bracing herself to be put on trial, something that he had mastered at a young age.
“The worst kind,” she said. “Everyone there has a vested interest in seeing me matched up. And they don’t understand the kind of guy I’m looking for.”
“And what kind of guy is that?” Doug asked, his voice gruff, as his eyes held hers with such interest that she eventually had to look away.
She straightened the stack of gift cards on the counter and lifted her chin a notch. “Someone attractive, at least to me. Someone kind and warm and funny. Someone who has my back and stands at my side. Someone who has passion, and interests, but makes me a priority too. Someone who is just as happy to spend a quiet night together at home as they are taking an exciting vacation. Someone who values family and this community, because I love Blue Harbor and I don’t think I could ever leave. Someone who knows me and loves me for who I am, faults and all. Oh, and someone who remembers the little details. Someone who brings me my favorite flower, not because it’s a holiday or birthday, but…just because.”
He stared at her for an unsettling amount of time and then nodded and pulled in a breath. “Well, it sounds like you know exactly what you want. But then, you always were someone with strong opinions.”
She snorted. “If that isn’t the pot…”
He grinned. “Hey, we have a lot in common, including a need to get some matchmakers off our backs. So, do we have an agreement?”
He extended his hand, and she wavered for just a minute before taking it in her own. It was warm and smooth and solid, and a bolt of excitement shot up her spine.
She shook it with force, as she would in any business arrangement.
“It’s a deal,” she said.
He grinned at her as he pulled away. “You know, we’re a lot better when we’re on the same side. Some might even say a force to be reckoned with.”
Gabby sighed as she watched him exit through her door and disappear down the sidewalk. It was true that she and Doug were turning out to be on the same side for many things…
Except when it came to their opinions on love and romance.
Doug’s office was a few blocks up the street and just off Main, and the sky opened up as he pushed open the door, shuttering the loud clap of thunder.
He propped his umbrella near the coatrack and nodded to his receptionist, a nice woman named Sherry who was, like so many others, a friend of his mother who was all too happy to pick up the work since her husband had passed away last year.
“Any calls while I was gone?”
Sherry shook her head. “Your two o’clock should be here soon.”
Doug nodded and gathered up the mail from the basket on her desk, pausing when he caught Sherry’s watchful stare.
“Is everything okay, Sherry?” he asked.
“I was just going to ask you that.”
“Me?” He looked at her quizzically.
“You look so…happy. Excuse me for saying this, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite so cheerful.”
Doug didn’t take the bait. He was wise enough to know that his mother had no doubt asked Sherry to do a little digging about Doug’s personal life, to keep her ears open for any incoming calls from eligible women, that sort of thing.
“Huh. Must be the weather,” he said with a grin as a flash of lightning made Sherry jump in her seat.
He managed not to chuckle as he walked back into his private office and settled in his chair. Did he seem happier? In truth, he felt happier. He’d kept to himself for so long that he’d forgotten how much more energized became when he got out a little and socialized.
Doug the downer. Strange that a nickname from high school could still make him frown even after all these years. Apparently, keeping his head in the books had managed to catch some people’s attention anyway, even if it wasn’t those that he’d hoped.
He made a mental note to take his brother up on his offer the next time Justin stopped by. Socializing was good for him, but making a habit of socializing too much with Gabby Conway was another.
He’d heard what she said, what she was looking for, and he…he couldn’t promise any of those things, even if a strange part of him wanted to rise to the challenge.
Pushing away that thought, he tended to his emails, focusing on the one thing in his life he used to
